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Concrete Repair and Replacement
Our professional, hands-on team of Ann Arbor Concrete pros provides top notch customer service, with free estimates, and competitive rates. We provide a wide range of professional services to meet your needs. We promise to provide every service with a smile and to your highest level of satisfaction.
What we are providing
Whether your stamped concrete patio needs to be resealed or a section of your walkway is crumbling Ann Arbor Concrete Leveling has the experience and solutions to solve your concrete repair or concrete replacement needs.
Concrete Replacement Process
The process of starts with making sure that all potential hazards or obstructions in the work area are noted. These could be any electrical or cable lines, irrigation lines or drainage pipes. There is always the possibility that some features may not be known, in particular on older properties.
Once the area to be removed is determined the concrete can be saw cut into sections. If the concrete is inside a structure it may need to be jack-hammered or broken up with sledge hammers as well. Once the cuts and breaks are made the concrete can be removed along with any soil or other material that needs to be removed.
The next step is to form the area to be poured and add any necessary material (stone or sand) to bring the area to proper grade. Once the area is formed and at grade wire mesh or rebar can be added for strength in the final preparation.
The concrete is now ready to be poured and finished according to the style requested. A concrete truck may be brought right to the area if the site conditions allow, if not a buggy may be used to transport the concrete from the truck to the the work area. In cases where space is very limited it may also be wheelbarrowed from the truck.
Common Problems Needing Concrete Replacement and Repair
1. Cracks
Cracks in concrete tend to start at the surface and work their way to the bottom of the slab over the course of several months. If you allow the cracks to reach through to the subgrade, you will need to fully replace the concrete structure to restore its strength and appearance.
Small cracks can be easily fixed by cleaning loose material out of the damaged areas and filling the spaces with concrete filler. Applying a sealant product after the patch cures will help strengthen the repaired area.
2. Crazing
A network of tiny cracks in the surface of the concrete is referred to as crazing. Crazing often occurs due to improper mixing or curing during the installation process. Although these cracks do not extend down far enough to impact the structural stability of the concrete, the fine lines may reduce the aesthetic value of your property.
If the crazing occurs on a decorative indoor concrete structure, you may be able to apply a layer of epoxy paint to cover up the unsightly cracks.
Unfortunately, sealers and surface hardeners can make the cracks more noticeable, so a layer of resurfacing concrete is often the only option for concealing crazing on outdoor structures.
3. Discoloration
Light or dark patches on concrete can result from improper installation techniques or stains from materials such as automobile fluids and cleaning chemicals. It is essential to address this damage as soon as you notice it to keep the discoloration from spreading across the entire slab of concrete.
Discolored concrete is usually scrubbed with a stiff brush dipped in a diluted vinegar solution to restore its appearance and halt the progression of this problem. Stronger chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid or diammonium citrate, may be needed to resolve severe cases of discoloration. Because these solutions can make problems worse if applied incorrectly, it is a good idea to consult a concrete repair expert before using them.
4. Scaling
Those who use de-icing salts on concrete during winter months often observe the surface to start to show signs of scaling. The loss of surface material will usually continue until you repair the damaged areas. The solution for this problem is a new layer of resurfacing concrete, which will require concrete contractors to rough up the entire surface of the concrete structure to prepare it for the repair process. After they have applied the new layer of concrete and allowed the material to cure overnight, concrete contractors apply a waterproof finishing treatment to protect it further.
5. Buckling
If there are large trees around the concrete property, the roots may grow under the structure, causing the slab to buckle and split apart. Extreme freeze-thaw cycles and heat exposure can also cause the material to buckle. The only way to repair this type of damage is to remove the damaged portion of the concrete, along with any roots that may have caused the problem. Concrete contractors can then install a large patch to prevent the buckled area from causing adjacent structures to crack and split as well.
6. Sinking or Settling
Concrete sinks for many different reasons. Erosion, water intrusion and soil compaction under concrete slabs allow all or part of the surface to sink, causing problems. If one area settles, the concrete slab can crack in half, creating an uneven, dangerous surface. The entire slab can also settle, making it unlevel or lower than needed. In cases of the concrete settling and becoming uneven it may be possible to fix the problem using the concrete leveling process rather than needing to replace the concrete.